Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) passes during the first half as the Vikings play the Bills in a preseason game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn., on Friday, August 17, 2012.
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

It’s like walking into the big boss’s office right after getting a major promotion. You want to make sure there’s no soup stain on your tie. And you definitely need to check to make sure your fly is buttoned up.

As it turned out, the Vikings were very presentable in their 2012 home debut.

The Vikings made their first appearance in front of the hometown crowd since, well, since the end of their long-term troubles. When we last saw them on Jan. 1, they were about to be homeless and darn near in transit. That was over and above the fact that the team was finishing up its second straight stinko season.

Eight and a half months and much political brawling later, the Vikings’ long-term future in Minnesota is secure. In fact, I read just the other day that the Wilfs or their representatives meet with planners a couple of times each week to go over stadium bells and whistles, concepts and designs.

Furthermore, the front-office situation was calmed when the organization switched from decisions by committee (and subcommittee after subcommittee) to settling on general manager Rick Spielman.

As for the team itself, the Wilfs magnanimously agreed to lower the TV blackout threshold from 100 percent attendance to 90 percent, which on the surface, at least, suggests that a third straight stinko season is on tap. The near-term is rather muddled.

But against the Buffalo Bills, the Vikings were coming off a relentlessly positive training camp in Mankato complete with plenty of happy talk from the players. And, of course, you know Frazier. His entire first team could fall down a manhole and he’d announce: “This is a great opportunity for our second-stringers to see some action!”

What people wanted to see Friday was hope. They wanted to see progress. They wanted to see key players perform admirably.

Well, check, check and check. The Vikings did not get caught with dandruff on their shoulders. Instead, they made a favorable first impression for 2012. Especially when the first team was on the field. Then, life was grand for those in attendance.

“My job is easy right now,” Christian Ponder said. “Guys like Percy Harvin and Jerome Simpson take a 4-yard catch and turn it into a 50-yard gain. It’s unbelievable.”

Red McCombs used to insist that the exhibition season was second only to the playoffs in terms of excitement. It was even more exciting than the regular season, he said, because of the competition for jobs.

Red was full of beans. But Friday’s game gave the people what they wanted. The fans were so inspired that they might have initiated a new Vikings tradition in the second half. For a good 20 minutes they did the wave, and as each section stood, the folks within tossed handfuls of paper — shredded from game programs or seat fliers. Although that’s officially against Metrodome rules, it was very cool-looking to see paper flying everywhere.

Scroll Vikings!

Ponder, the key to the entire universe, was sharp. He completed 10 of 13 for 136 yards and a touchdown. He led the team to 10 points on its first two drives. He misfired with Kyle Rudolph open in the end zone. Otherwise, he was right on target and made good decisions. His progress appeared obvious to everyone.

“We wanted to score early and score often,” Ponder noted.

“You can draw X’s and O’s all day,” Frazier said. “If you don’t have playmakers, you’re whistling in the dark.”

Until Friday, Frazier whistled so much he had to keep lip balm close by.

The offensive line, after a shaky start, held up well. Simpson looked very good at wide receiver. Of course, he has to sit out the first three games because of a suspension. His potential fill-ins appeared serviceable. The secondary did not spontaneously combust. The linebackers often stuffed the run. What more do you want?

A few little things went wrong. Big deal. It was a good night for a lot of people. There appeared to be improvement. Perhaps potential is on the way to being fulfilled. Hey, the franchise is set long term. Perhaps there is hope that the near term won’t be as bad as a lot of folks suspect.

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